Am I Giving God a Bad Name??

I think as a Christian we should often ask ourselves this question.

When we give our heart to Christ and we commit our lives to following Him, we are wearing the name "Christian". Which means Christ-Like.  If you've been in church for any length of time you've heard the term..."you represent Christ wherever you go, so represent Him well."

First let me say, I AGREE with that statement. When people know you're a Christian, you ARE a representation of Christ to that person and you should be mindful about how you are portraying Him and yourself.
However, I also think that statement can become a source of condemnation for Gods children and it was never intended to be. It's just like the enemy to take something that was meant for good and twist it to bring frustration and condemnation to the family of God.

I think for many Christians it really is our desire to represent Christ well. To be a good model of Christ's love to the world around us. But we are still human beings, SINFUL human beings who mess up, who get mad and make mistakes. We say hurtful things, and inappropriate things, we don't always handle emotional situations well and sometimes there is a fallout and trail of devastation left by our actions.
We don't intend it..but it happens sometimes.

But what then?? What happens when we hurt people or make mistakes? We certainly are NOT representing Christ's actions in those moments. We aren't responding "in love" as so many think Jesus would.
How, in those moments, can we call ourselves Christians when we are NOT being "Christ-Like"??

I ran across a statement in a book called "Made to Crave" by Lysa Turkeurst that brought freedom from the condemning lies of Satan.

So here it is....

"God does not build the stability of HIS identity on the fragile choices of His children. He just keeps placing the truth in front of us and offers to lead us to His best- Over and OVER and OVER!!"

WOO HOO, Praise the Lord, Doing a hallelujah dance over here!!!

That statement brings freedom!!

I do NOT have to be perfect for GOD'S GREAT NAME to remain great!!

I am NOT responsible for building the reputation of GOD. His reputation has already been built. It is already perfect, it is already GREAT!!!

He desires to use me when I am submitted and willing, but he is NOT completely dependent upon us.

He knows we are imperfect people. He knows we will make mistakes.

Does that give us license to just act inappropriately without repercussions? OF COURSE NOT!!

He wants us to be growing and becoming more like Him every day.

But His grace is sufficient for us when we aren't, when our sinful nature shows through, when our resolve to respond like Christ is feeble at best.

Don't let the enemy lie to you and tell you that because you mess up, you are giving GOD a bad name.

Gods reputation has already been built. It is STABLE, it is SOLID, and it is SECURE.

I hope this brings freedom to your heart today. I know it brings freedom to mine.


God can and will use you in the midst of all your imperfections.

"God does not build the stability of his name on the fragile choices of his children. He just keeps placing the truth in front of us and offers to lead us to His best, over and over and over."

Be Blessed!!